Slightly to the east of the intersection of Fifth and Main, the city built a “Market House” in the 1830’s as a place for farmers and traveling salesmen to sell their goods. The broad street provided plenty of space for horses and wagons to park, and later for the streetcar line to lay its track. Streetcars came to Columbus on May 22, 1906, under ownership of the Columbus Railway Streetcar Company. A single ride cost roughly 5 cents. Streetcars began operating in 1911 but were replaced in popularity by automobiles in 1922. The streetcar company purchased the right-of-way in the center of Main Street for its track and when it ceased operation, title was given back to the city.
